kratz74

Did an oil change 2K miles ago and went on a 1500 mile trip. Got back and parked in the garage for 2 days and noticed spot of oil about 2" across. Checked under car and its slowly dripping out of drain bolt. Is the bolt stripped or could it be the crush ring (Ive never changed the cruch ring since the car was new and it had 36K miles). Car was abotu 1/2 qt low after 2K miles so the drip isn't terrible but I'd like it to be fixed. IS this a common issue with 2k2 Maximas?

sloppymax

iTrader: (8)

that is not a common issue but one that can easily occur if the crush ring is not replaced on a routine basis or if the bolt is overtourqed. your best and least expensive option would be to get a new oil drain bolt and crush ring. change the oil and replace both parts and see if the drip continues. if it does, you may have damaged the threads on the pan. i replace the crush ring every other time and the drain bolt every 25k.

kratz74

Thanks for the feedback. I was thining the sdame thing but wanted to make sure it wasn't some type of non obvious problem. Shoudl be a cheap and easy fix. Thanks again.

Y2KSESteve

iTrader: (22)

Get it from DaveB @ Southpoint Nissan in Texas at 888-254-6060 or at Courtesy parts: http://courtesyparts.com/A32_maint.html

gfcrane

If you're going to pull the drain plug, why not install a drain valve? I installed the Fram and really like it when changing oil. It's brass, with a rubber gasket so it seals well and no more hot oil on the hand. The Fumato is probably better quality but costs more. I paid ~$15 for a Fram SD3 and liked it so well I installed another one on my pickup.

kratz74

Enlighten me on the drain valve thing. I have no clue what you are talking about. Ive probably done literally 100-150 oil changes and have never heard of this term. Is it something so you leave the bolt in and somehow "bleed" the oil w/o removing the bolt?

Y2KSESteve

iTrader: (22)

On the Fram filters its a tube you drain the oil from without having to remove the filter...

sloppymax

iTrader: (8)

you still have to remove the filter. all it does is replace your oem drain plug with a fram one. then you have an attachment that plugs into the new drain plug and it allows the oil to drain from the pan without removing the bolt. several companies have had this for a while but many independent tests have shown that it does not remove as much as when the drain plug is just pulled. you can check it out at fram.com under products or HERE for sale on yahoo.

Zero Deuce SE

Or, you could buy one of these and not have to remove the drain plug at all.
http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/MIT-7201.html